Rearfoot disorders and conservative treatment: a narrative review.

Journal and index pages often block iframe embedding. This reader keeps the evidence details in Orthonotes and leaves the source page one click away.

Abstract

[Indexed for MEDLINE] 2. Int Orthop. 2025 Apr;49(4):853-862. doi: 10.1007/s00264-025-06469-5. Epub 2025 Mar 5. Overview of nerve entrapment syndromes in the foot and ankle. Bojovic M(1), Dimitrijevic S(2), Olory BCR(3), Eirale C(3), AlSeyrafi O(3), AlBaker AA(3), Krivokapic B(4)(5), Jeremic D(4)(5), DHooghe P(3). Author information: (1)Aspetar Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar. milos.bojovic@aspetar.com. (2)Special Hospital For Cerebral Palsy And Developmental Neurology, Belgrade, Serbia. (3)Aspetar Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar. (4)Institute for Orthopaedic Surgery "Banjica", Belgrade, Serbia. (5)Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia. PURPOSE: Tunnel syndromes around the foot and ankle are underrecognized and frequently misdiagnosed nerve entrapments that can significantly impact patients' quality of life. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies for these syndromes, focusing on the sural nerve, deep peroneal nerve, tibial nerve, medial plantar nerve, and inferior calcaneal nerve. METHODS: A thorough literature review was conducted, examining studies and case reports on nerve entrapments in the foot and ankle. The review covers the clinical assessment, differential diagnosis, and treatment options, including conservative and surgical interventions. RESULTS: Tunnel syndromes of the foot and ankle can arise from various causes, including trauma, anatomical variations, repetitive strain, and systemic conditions. Clinical manifestations often include burning pain, tingling, and motor weakness, depending on the affected nerve. Accurate diagnosis relies on a detailed patient history, physical examination, and adjunctive tests such as electrodiagnostic and imaging. Conservative treatments, such as physical therapy, orthotics, and corticosteroid injections, are often effective, while surgical decompression is reserved for refractory cases. CONCLUSIONS: Recognizing and diagnosing tunnel syndromes in the foot and ankle is essential for effective management and preventing permanent nerve damage. A systematic approach that integrates clinical evaluation and appropriate imaging can improve patient outcomes. Timely intervention, whether conservative or surgical, is crucial for alleviating symptoms and restoring function. © 2025. The Author(s). DOI: 10.1007/s00264-025-06469-5 PMCID: PMC11971194